Licence-free music in sight

Yesterday (Fri 20 Jan) at 2.30pm, the Live Music Bill passed its Third Reading in the House of Commons. It now goes to the Lords on 10 Feb, for final approval, after which it proceeds to Royal Assent.

The Bill was launched by Lord Clement Jones (Lib. Dem, pictured) and presented in the Commons by Don Foster MP (Lib. Dem, Bath).

This means that live entertainment, including music, presented in small venues (up to 200) should soon be free of the need for a licence. This draconian restriction was imposed on live entertainment in the Labour Government's Licensing Act of 2003.